In This Issue Oh Canada! LES Annual Meeting Takes A Global View President's Message: Power Networking Hits The Mark Licensing Foundation Graduate Student Business Plan Competition Healthcare Sector: CEMC Activities Atlanta Recap: A Traveler’s Guide To LES Local Chapters LES E-vent Resource Center—Have You Tried It? Sponsorship Program Enhances Meetings And Education Book Review Slate Of Officers And Trustees For 2007 Introducing The LES Certified Licensing Professional |
Oh Canada! LES Annual Meeting Takes A Global View LES Annual Meeting • Vancouver, BC • October 14-17, 2007
For the first time since Year 2000, LES professionals from around the U.S. and Canada will travel to a Canadian destination for the LES Annual Meeting. Make plans to join us on the waterfront at the Vancouver Convention Center in Vancouver, British Columbia. Come and enjoy luxurious five-star accommodations, including the Pan Pacific Hotel at the Convention Center and the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, directly across the street. You will also be treated to a magnificent view of the harbor with the Canadian Rockies as a stunning backdrop. This year's meeting theme, "The New Deal: Competing in a Global Economy," will focus on "Change" taking place throughout today's global marketplace for intellectual property protection, transfer and licensing. Innovative programming and unique networking events will mark this year's Annual Meeting as changed to meet the evolving needs and interests of licensing professionals. Meeting Co-Chair Michael Lasinski is excited about this year's emphasis on change. "The landscape for intellectual property has changed dramatically in 2007. From Supreme Court rulings to new ways to monetize IP assets, intellectual property transaction professionals are navigating a whole new world. Our 2007 program has been established to help professionals learn how their peers are adjusting to everything that has happened this year. In addition to our educational program, our Power Networking (another new thing this year!) is a critical new addition to helping attendees make new acquaintances and catch up with old friends. All this learning and networking is available in a wonderful city whose food, scenery and business climate will make for an unforgettable experience," states Mike. Speakers and The Future According to Watts Wacker LES Annual Meetings always present some of the most topical and distinguished speakers on intellectual property and licensing. This year's line-up is no exception. Speakers representing knowledge leaders, such as Microsoft Corp., AT&T Knowledge Ventures, the U.S. Department of Commerce and Merck & Co., Inc., will provide insights and learning opportunities that span industries, areas of expertise, even global borders. Monday's keynote speaker will take attendees on a journey to the future. Watts Wacker is one of the most celebrated and influential minds in modern business. He is a lecturer, best selling author, political commentator and social critic, as well as a respected futurist. Watts was named a Time magazine "2006 Person of the Year" and designated as "one of the 21 best speakers in America" by Successful Meetings magazine. Mr. Wacker describes himself as a twenty-first century alchemist as well as "a cross between James Brown and the unknown comic (the hardest working nobody in business)." He is the founder and director of FirstMatter LLC and has focused his attention on creating a new kind of think tank. Watts has authored several books: The 500 Year Delta, which was an international bestseller, The Visionary's Handbook and The Deviant's Advantage. (See review, Page 9.) His fourth book, What's Your Story? Storytelling to Move Markets, Audiences, People and Brands, is scheduled for release this August. Meeting goers will be wowed by Wacker's uncommon versatility and mesmerized by a vision that has allowed him to help the world's top corporations and organization navigate Change. Watts Wacker will speak at the Awards Luncheon where the Frank Barnes Mentoring Award will be presented to an LES member who has, like Frank, mentored many licensing executives.
Change is Everywhere Of course, there will be the tremendous opportunities that you've come to expect at an LES Annual Meeting, such as industryfocused mini-plenary sessions and interactive workshops for professionals in the LES key sectors. The LES Tech Fair will be expanded this year and sector-specific receptions and dinners are planned. There will also be new programming to make your meeting experience even more valuable. The LES Power Networking Café will be open for business and will provide an efficient and userfriendly structure to make your networking more valuable throughout the Annual Meeting. The Licensing Foundation Survey Results for 2007 will also be presented and compared with previous years at a meeting session. In addition, skeptics as well as practitioners will discuss one of the most noteworthy changes in intellectual property, "Patents as a Business Model." Those who enjoy a change of scenery will marvel at the sights of Vancouver. Accompanying person tours have been arranged and include a trip to the Vancouver Aquarium and Stanley Park, perusing the Vancouver Fashion Extravaganza at JC Studios, shopping at Granville Island, and sightseeing area canyons and mountains. Be sure to check out the LES Annual Meeting brochure available online at www.les2007.org for complete information regarding Add-On Sessions, Workshops, Plenary Speakers, the LES Fun Run and Tennis, as well as meeting registration information. Remember to bring your passport for this Canadian destination. Check out http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html for travel guidelines and updates. |
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| Copyright© 2007 Licensing
Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. |
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